Wire coiling apparatus

ABSTRACT

A wire winding apparatus comprising at least one winding mandrel and a drive mechanism for driving said winding mandrel. A winding spindle is coupled with the drive mechanism and an axially displaceable insert means is rigidly connected for rotation with the winding spindle. The insert means possesses two portions which are displaceable relative to one another and carrying cooperating wire clamping jaw means, one of said portions being constructed to operatively engage with said winding mandrel when situated opposite said winding spindle. There is also provided means for selectively engaging and disengaging the winding mandrel from the winding spindle through relative axial displacement of the winding spindle and the winding mandrel.

United States Patent [191 Angst r 1 I WIRE COILING APPARATUS [75] Inventor: Walter Angst, Kloten, Switzerland [73] Assignee: Meteor AG, Glattbrugg, Switzerland [22 Filed: Mar. 17,1972

21 Appl. No; 235,598

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 8l6,2 56,'April 15, 1969, Pat.

[30] A Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 19, 1968 Switzerland 5847/68 52 U.S. CL; .Q 242/109, 140/922 51 Int. Cl. non 41/06 [58]- Field-oi Search 242/709; 25 A; 83/409; 140/922, 71.5

[56] 9 References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 3,332.63: 7/1967 Carlson 242/109- 3,186,653 1/1965 Stefanizyn 242/25 A 8/1934 Haegele et al.. 242/709 3/l96l Thwaites et a] l40/7l.5

Primary Examiner-Billy S. Taylor Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Werner W. Kleeman [57] ABSTRACT A wire winding apparatus comprising at least one winding mandrel and a drive mechanism for driving said winding mandrel. A winding spindle is coupled with the drive mechanism and an axially displaceable insert means is rigidly connected for rotation with the winding spindle. The insert means possesses two portions which are displaceable relative to one another and carrying cooperating wire clamping jaw means,

one of said portions being constructed cooperatively engage with said winding mandrel when situated opposite said winding spindle. There is also provided means for selectively engaging and disengaging the winding mandrel'from the winding spindle through relative axial displacement of the winding spindle and the winding mandrel.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPRIEIBM 804 347 SHEET 2 OF 3 Fig.2

Fig.3

PATENTEBAPRISISH 3 804 347 sum 3 [IF 3 I WIRE COILING APPARATUS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASE tion, Ser. No. 816,256, filed Apr. 15, 1969,now

United States Pat. 3,672,409 and entitled WIR E COILING APPARATUS. I

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention broadly relates to a coiling apparatus and, in particular, concerns a new and improved wire coiling apparatus of the type utilizing a plurality of mandrels.

Wire coiling apparatus having a plurality of winding mandrels are known in the prior art, such winding mandrels being rotatably mounted at a turret table and capable of being driven. For example, in one of the priorart apparatus of the type described, each mandrel has associated therewith a separate drive means as well as separate means for depositing and cutting the wire. Wire coiling apparatus of this typical type are thus relatively complex and expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, a need exists in this art for a wire coiling apparatus which does not exhibit the disadvantages of the prior art. It is the primary object of the instant invention to satisfy this need. i

Further, more specific, yet equally important objects of the instant invention are the provision of a wire coiling apparatus which has a high efficiency or output; the provision of a wire coiling apparatus which is of relatively simple construction; the provision of a wire coiling apparatus which is relatively inexpensive to both manufacture and maintain.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the present invention which will become apparent as the description proceeds, the invention is characterized by the provision of a wire winding or coiling apparatus having a plurality of winding mandrels rotatably and drivingly disposed on a turret table. A drive mechanism or installation is provided which is operatively connected with a given winding mandrel for a predetermined position of the turret table. A winding spindle is continuously coupled with the drive installation and has an axis'which piercingly extends or pene trates the pitch circle of the turrent table and which runs parallel to the rotational axis of same. The winding mandrels are further disposed in an axially displaceably fashion on the turret table. Means are provided for en gaging and disengaging from the winding spindle, through axial displacement, the winding mandrel which is momentarily located at the predetermined position of the turret table. Accordingly, a single winding spindle cooperates to effect the winding process with each of a plurality of winding mandrels such that only one drive installation is required.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention itself will be better understood and other features and advantages thereof will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred inventive embodiment, such description making reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the wire coiling apparatus of the instant invention with the turrent attachment thereof being shown in plan, taken substantially along the line I-I of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 depicts a view of the turret attachment taken in the direction of arrow A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts the winding spindle insert and the winding mandrel of the instant invention in winding position;

FIG. 4 depicts the winding spindle insert and the winding mandrel of FIG. 3 in a position wherein the wire is braked; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view depicting details of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED INVENTIVE EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 5, the wire coiling apparatus of the instant invention is generally characterized by reference numeral 10 and will be seen to include a drive motor 12, a transmission 14, as well as a supporting table 20. Transmission 14 engages with a wire guide installation 18 which is disposed on the supporting table 20 and with a winding or spindle head 16. A cutting sleeve 26 is fixedly mounted for rotation at the spindle head 16, the cutting sleeve 26, in turn, holding a spindle sleeve 22 as well as a winding spindle 24, and said spindle sleeve 22 and winding spindle 24 define insert means. Cutting sleeve 26, spindle sleeve 22,

as well as winding spindle 24 engage tightly with each other for rotation. Additionally, winding spindle 24 which defines an inner member is mounted so as to be axially displaceable in the spindle sleeve 22 defining an outer member by means of a pin or journal 25. The frontal portion or side 29 of the outer spindle sleeve 22 as well as the frontal portion 27 of the inner winding spindle 24 which faces the spindlle sleeve 22 collectively form a pair of clamping jaws.

A turret attachment generally designated by reference numeral 30 is secured to the supporting table 20, the turret attachment 30 being displaceable in the axial direction of the spindle head 16. This turret attachment 30 is further seen to have a supporting member 31. A shaft journal 34 is mounted in bearings 36 at the support member 31 parallel to the axis of spindle head 16. A plate or disc-shaped turret table 32 is attached to the end of the shaft journal 34 which faces the transmission 14.

The other end of the shaft journal 34 is rigidly connected with a piston rod 38. A piston 40 is retained at the end of the piston rod 38 by means of a screw 42. A sleeve 44 is mounted on the piston rod 38 in a rigid fashion for rotation and a tooth gear 46, in turn, is displaceably mounted on the sleeve 44. The tooth gear 46 is positively connected with the sleeve 44 and thus with the shaft journal 34 by means of a claw clutch 47 disposed at the frontal side of the tooth gear 46. A cylinder 48 is connected to the side of the tooth gear 46 opposite from the claw clutch 47, cylinder 48 cooperating with piston 40 and being closed off by a cover or lid 50. The space between the piston 40 and the lid 50 defines a pressure chamber 41. A pressure spring 45 is disposed and clamped between the frontal side of piston 40 facing the turret table 32 and the tooth gear 46. Tooth gear 46 further engages with a gear rack 52 which, in turn, is positively connected with the drive means 54 depicted in FIG. 2.

A plurality of winding mandrel supports, designated by reference numeral 55, are arranged on a pitch or partial circle extending concentrically with respect to the central or center point of journal 34, the pitch circle being penetrated by the extended axis of the spindle head 16, with the axes of the winding mandrel supports 55 running parallel to the axis of spindle head 16. Each winding mandrel support 55 has a tail spindle or spindle sleeve 56 disposed in an axially displaceable fashion at the turret table 32 within its associated mandrel support 55, the tail spindle being biased to assume its terminal right-hand side position by means of a schematically represented spring 57, as shown in FIG. 5. A winding mandrel sleeve 60 is rotatably mounted via ball bearings 58 in the tail spindle 56 and in turn, takes up a winding mandrel 62 which is mounted to be axially displaceable relative to the winding mandrel'sleeve 60.

Shoulders 65 and 63 which face one another, are re-' spectively provided at the winding mandrel sleeve 60 and at the circumference of the winding mandrel 62, as shown in F IG. 5, and a compression or pressure spring 64 is provided between these confronting shoulders 63 and 65.

The winding mandrel 62 contains a displaceably mounted plunger 66 within an axial bore 82, the plunger being secured by non-illustrated securing means in the retracted position thereof indicated in the drawings. In this position, a plunger pin or rod 88 rigidly connected with the rear face of the plunger 66 extends beyond the end of the winding mandrel 62 with its protruding end being disposed away from spindle head 16. Stripping or push-off pins 84 are disposed for cooperation with the frontal portion 90 of the plunger 66 and penetrate through the frontal side 92 of winding mandrel 62, emerging from said frontal side 92 when the plunger 66 is in its forward or advanced position. Furthermore, a winding support member.68 for the coil is detachably secured in a coaxial position with respect to the winding mandrel 62 at the frontal side or face 92 of-such windingmandrel 62.

The rear end of each tail spindle 56 faces the support member 31 and engages with a lever 70 which is pivotably mounted via a pin 72 at the turret table 32, the pivotal lever 70 extending approximately radially and at the inner end thereof being engaged by a tension spring 71. The outer end of the lever 70 carries a rotatably mounted cam follower roll or roller 74 which cooperates with a cam track 76, as best seen in. FIG. 2. This cam track 76 is secured atthe support member 31 and follows a portion of the circumference of the turret table 32. This cam or curved track 76, which is only conveniently depicted in FIG. 2, possesses such a cam surface that if the roller 74 runs upon the cam track 76 during rotation of the turrent table through 90 into the next indexed position, the winding mandrel 62, which is in its winding position, is moved forward via tail spindle 56 by means of the lever 70.

Mounted so as to be axially displaceable in a guide sleeve 77 whose axis coincides with that of spindle head 16, is a centering sleeve 78. Sleeve 77 is carried by the support member 31. This centering sleeve 78 is rigidly connected with a piston rod 79 of a pneumatically actuated cylinder means 80. The centering sleeve 78 carries a conically formed outer shoulder 81 at its frontal side which faces the tail spindle 56, this shoulder engaging with the hollow-shaped tail spindle 56 when the sleeve 78 is moved forward by means of cylinder 80. In this manner, it is possible to achieve operation such that the turret table 32, within the play prevailing at the gear rack 52 and gear 46, is turned or positionally oriented such that the tail spindle 56 and thus the winding mandrel 62 assume a position which is precisely coaxial with regard to the winding head 16.

Displaced in the circumferential direction by 180 with respect to the cylinder 80, there is arranged an additional pneumatically actuated cylinder 96 which is mounted at the support member 31. Cylinder 96 possesses a piston rod 98 cooperating with plunger 88 such as to eject a completely wound coil S (FIG. located on the winding support member 68 from such support member.

The wire guide, which is not illustrated herein, is intended to be disposed above the winding spindle 24 in a radial plane extending through the winding space 100 formed between the frontal side of the winding spindle 24 and the frontal side of the winding mandrel 62. Depending upon the axial extension of the winding space, the wire guide can be moved'forward and backward in order to deposit the wire winding. With spools having small axial extensions, it is also possible, if desired, to perform the above operation without the oscillating movement of the wire guide.

The preferred embodiment of the instant invention as depicted is intended to wind coreless coilsor spools S for which the wire D'is taken from a non-illustrated wire supply roll located above wire guide installation or member 18, the wire then being guided through the wire guide. When the novel apparatus is placed into operation, the wire end is placed between the clamping jaws 27 and 29 of the winding spindle 24. The wire end is clamped between the jaws 27 and 29 as soon as the winding mandrel 62 is brought into a forwardly moved position depicted in H6. 3 where it engages with the confronting portion or face of the winding spindle and by actuating cylinder this winding mandrel is simultaneously also centered. Under the control of cylinder 80, winding mandrel 62 moves still further in the direction of the winding spindle 24 until it reaches the position depicted in FIG. 4 whereupon-the mandrel then returns to the position depicted in FIG. 3 under the control of a spring acting upon winding sleeve 22. The wire D, during the winding operation, first extends into the exterior radial plane defined by the position of the wire guide, then extends into the winding space as the' winding spindle 24 turns, which spindle also entrains the winding mandrel 62 through friction via the spool support member 68.

If the coil or spool S is completely wound in the winding space 100, the drive is then stopped and the winding spindle 22, and the cutting sleeve 26 entrained thereby are secured in a predetermined circumferential position by non-ill ustrated locking means. At the same time, the centering the sleeve 78 is pulled back by cylinder 80 such that the winding mandrel 62 moves back into the initial position shown in the drawing under the influence of the return spring 57 acting upon tail spindle 56. When this initial-position is resumed, the turrettable 32 is rotated or indexed by means of the pneumatically activatable cylinder 54 and the gear rack 52, respectively. During this phase, as aforementioned, the winding mandrel 62 is again moved forward into the wire guide plane, this action taking place as a result of turrent table has completed a 90 turn, the wire again comes to lie between the clamping jaws 27 and 29 of the spindle sleeve 22 and winding spindle 24, whereupon the wire is clamped again as the winding mandrel 62 moves forwardly. During the forward movement of the winding mandrel 62 into the position depicted in FIG. 4, the clamping jaws 27 and 29 are moved back behind the cutting edges 26' of the winding sleeve. The wire portion D coming from the wire guide thereby reaches recess 26" of the cutting sleeve, while the wire connection D representing the winding end of the completed coil or spool S is cut off by the cutting edge 26' at the discharge or outlet side from the clamping jaws. A new winding process can thus begin after the winding mandrel 62 has returned to the position depicted in 'FlG. 3.

So as to prevent the winding end of the completed coil from jumping up after cutting the wire end D by the cutting edge 26', the coil is pre-heated during the winding process by hot air from a non-illustrated apparatus. Since, in the instant embodiment, the wire tobe wound is contemplated tohave a thermoplastic cover, the windings would thus bebonded or welded respectively, with one another due to the heat. 2

The cylinder arrangement formed by parts 48 and 50 which is connected with tooth gear 46 is displaced during the winding process by pneumatic action such that the claw clutch 47 disengages from sleeve or journal 44. in this disengaged or un-coupled position, the cylinder drive (or cylinder) 54 is actuated such that the piston rod defining the rack 52 is pulled back while rotating the tooth gear 46. The cylinder arrangement 48, 50 now can be unloaded in the retracted position of rack 52 such that such cylinder arrangement 48, 50 again returns into the initial position where it is operatively coupled with the claw clutch 47 under the action of spring 45, and the apparatus is then ready for the next rotation or indexing of the turret table 32.

As aformentioned, the completed winding coil is ejected from the respective winding mandrel 62 when such mandrel has traveled a distance of 180 relative to its winding position, During this travel, or at the end of the travel, and prior to ejection of the completed coil or spool, the spool can be treated further, if desired. For example, it is possible to provide an insulating cover such as adhesive tape on the spool or coil.

The winding spindle 24 depicted in the illustrated inventive embodiment, can also be utilized with a winding apparatus which has only one winding mandrel 62 which is axially displaceable together with a tail spindle 56 disposed in a tail stock. An application of the instant invention as described herein is advantageous for nonautomatic winding apparatus of simple type.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims. Accordingly,

What is claimed is:

l.ln a wire winding apparatus equipped with at least one axially displaceable winding mandrel, a drive mechanism, a winding head coaxially arranged with respect to said winding mandrel and operatively coupled with said drive mechanism, the improvement comprising insert means carried by said winding head for rotation therewith, said insert means embodying an outer member and an inner, member axially displaceable within said outer member, said inner member and said outer member each having a clamping jaw, said clamping jaws of said inner member and outer member con fronting one another to form a wire clamp means, means for moving said winding mandrel between a disengaged position and an engaged position, said winding mandrel assuming said engaged position at least for clampingand coiling'of a wire and assuming said disengaged position during non-coiling of the wire, and said inner member having a portion engaged by said winding mandrel in said engaged position thereof.

2. In a wire winding apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including a cutting sleeve member surrounding said outer member of said insert means, said outer member and said inner member being'jointly axially movable between a wire clamping position and a cutting position relative to said cutting sleeve member.

3. In a wire winding apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said winding mandrel. incorporates a frontal face confronting said insert means, a winding support member secured at said frontal face of said winding mandrel, said winding support member cooperating with said engaged portion of said .inner member to de fine a winding space for the coiling of coreless spools thereat.

4. in a wire winding apparatus as defined in claim 3, further including stripping pin meanscarried by the windingmandrel for ejection of the wound wire spool. 

1. In a wire winding apparatus equipped with at least one axially displaceable winding mandrel, a drive mechanism, a winding head coaxially arranged with respect to said winding mandrel and operatively coupled with said drive mechanism, the improvement comprising insert means carried by said winding head for rotation therewith, said insert means embodying an outer member and an inner member axially displaceable within said outer member, said inner member and said outer member each having a clamping jaw, said clamping jaws of said inner member and outer member confronting one another to form a wire clamp means, means for moving said winding mandrel between a disengaged position and an engaged position, said winding mandrel assuming said engaged position at least for clamping and coiling of a wire and assuming said disengaged position during non-coiling of the wire, and said inner member having a portion engaged by said winding mandrel in said engaged position thereof.
 2. In a wire winding apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including a cutting sleeve member surrounding said outer member of said insert means, said outer member and said inner member being jointly axially movable between a wire clamping position and a cutting position relative to said cutting sleeve member.
 3. In a wire winding apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said winding mandrel incorporates a frontal face confronting said insert means, a winding support member secured at said frontal face of said winding mandrel, said winding support member cooperating with said engaged portion of said inner member to define a winding space for the coiling of coreless spools thereat.
 4. In a wire winding apparatus as defined in claim 3, further including stripping pin means carried by The winding mandrel for ejection of the wound wire spool. 